Chapter 8 · Lesson 4 of 11

Shoulder and water emergencies

4 min read · Accidents and Emergency Situations

On this page
  1. Explanation
  2. Example
  3. Common mistake
  4. What the manual says

Explanation

If your wheels drift onto the shoulder, do not turn sharply back to the pavement. That can throw the vehicle off balance. Continue along the shoulder, ease off the gas, slow down and return to the road gradually.

If a vehicle plunges into water, it usually floats for several minutes. Use that time to escape:

  1. Do not try to open a door. Water pressure makes it nearly impossible and an open door floods the passenger compartment.
  2. Remove your seat belt and open a window.
  3. Free children from rear seat belts and child restraints; ask older children to help younger ones.
  4. Move passengers forward, exit through the window and move to the roof.
  5. Call 911 and locate the nearest dry land.

Swim for shore only as a last resort, such as when help has not arrived before the vehicle sinks below the waterline. Never go back into the vehicle for possessions.

Example

A car enters water and remains afloat. The occupants unbuckle, open a window, help the children forward, climb onto the roof and call 911. They do not try to force open a door.

Common mistake

Opening a door as the first escape attempt. The manual says the weight of the water makes this nearly impossible and lets water flood the passenger compartment.

What the manual says

If your vehicle plunges into water, do not attempt to open a door.

Swim for shore only as a last resort.

Never re-enter the vehicle to gather possessions.

Sources

  • Manual p. 59

    “Instead, drive along the shoulder and ease up on the gas pedal. After slowing down, turn back onto the road gradually.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “If your vehicle plunges into water, do not attempt to open a door. The weight of the water will make it nearly impossible to open a door and water will flood the passenger compartment through an open door.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “Remove your seat belt.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “Open a window. Automatic windows will open unless the impact is so severe that it damages the electrical system.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “Exit the vehicle and move to the roof. This will keep you as dry as possible and even in moving water you can ride the vehicle like a boat for a short time. Once on the roof, call 911 and locate the nearest dry land.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “Swim for shore only as a last resort.”

  • Manual p. 59

    “Never re-enter the vehicle to gather possessions.”

Check your understanding

Question 1 of 3

Your wheels drift onto the shoulder. How should you return to the road?